9 Jul 2021 14:24

Taliban takes control of 85% of Afghan territory - rep

MOSCOW. July 9 (Interfax) - The Taliban movement (banned in Russia) has taken control of 85% of Afghan territory, Shahabuddin Delawar, an official with the Taliban's political office in Qatar and head of the Taliban delegation visiting Moscow, said.

"Eighty-five percent of Afghan territory has passed into the control of the Islamic emirates," Delawar said at a press conference in Moscow.

Administrations, schools, and hospitals are continuing to operate in those territories, he said.

In turn, delegation member Latif Mansur said that the Taliban is in control of about 250 Afghan districts out of 398.

At this point, Kabul controls only the administrative centers of provinces, while the Taliban holds their suburbs and districts, he said.